Katie Price in shock split from lover Leandro Penna

Seven-month relationship is over after pair found it impossible to deal with ­language barrier

Katie Price has split from her Latino lover Leandro Penna – days after he ­publicly ­declared they would marry.

The model, 33, yesterday ­announced through friends that the seven-month relationship is over after the pair found it impossible to deal with their ­language barrier.

It follows a succession of rows ­ending with a “heartfelt and frank” conversation through a translator this week. Both agreed it would be best for Leandro, 25, to move out of Katie’s home and go back to Argentina.

A source revealed: “It’s over. The truth is Leandro was homesick and felt isolated being in the UK without any of his friends or family.

“He also wasn’t working at all and was just under Katie’s feet as she ­carried on with her life and career.

“He decided it would be a good idea to return to Argentina and see his family, and try to get work. She agreed it was probably for the best.

“He doesn’t speak good English, she’s been busy on book and magazine ­signings across the country and he’s bored out of his mind. It’s sad – but it was for the best that he goes home.”

The announcement will surprise Katie’s fans given that the relationship appeared to be blossoming. Leandro said earlier this week: “She’s the woman I love and want to protect and care for.”

BICKERING

Asked about marriage, he said: “Yes, we have a project of a family. If ­tomorrow we marry it’s because we feel right.”

But sources revealed last night how the split has been building for weeks with the couple bickering constantly.

Katie realised Leandro was unhappy after his parents visited him in the UK last month. He travelled with them to New York then extended his trip to visit his brother in Miami.

In Miami on Friday, before leaving for Argentina, the lonely TV game-show model was spotted on a shopping trip where he appeared to be looking at gifts for Katie.

He looked at a thigh-high leopard-print boot that would have suited Katie’s alter ego Jordan perfectly. He also checked out a dress, apparently to see if it would fit a large-busted woman.

Back in London Katie was partying at Aldo Zilli’s Soho restaurant for model Lauren Pope’s birthday. She then went out with friend Maddy Ford to the Botanist restaurant in Sloane Square.

Last night she was due at a dinner to celebrate the birthday of her best friend, make-up artist Gary Cockerill.

A member of Katie’s camp confirmed the split yesterday, saying: “It’s not great timing with her new TV show about to launch but both Kate and Leandro needed to be happy and that meant going their separate ways.”

The couple, who met in February at Sir Elton John’s Oscars party, split during a tearful phone conversation earlier this week in which Leandro told Katie how he felt through a translator.

“Leandro decided it was time to take a break,” the source added. “And Katie didn’t disagree. He used a translator to tell Katie how he felt on the phone and said he thought it best he return home.

“He’s bored with living in the shadow and wants to find work and make a life for himself.

“Katie knew in her heart that it was coming. She’s being very adult about the split and says she didn’t see it as a long-term relationship that would lead to marriage and kids. But she will miss him. The language barrier was ultimately the problem for them.”

Leandro was making little progress in his intense course of English lessons.

But Katie, whose Sky Living HD TV show Signed starts at the end of the month, told the Sunday Mirror two weeks ago that they were still using the Google Translate website to ­understand each other’s texts. And friends say the mum-of-three is ­relieved things have come to an end.

“She genuinely thought there could be something special with Leandro,” said the source. “But as time went on she ­realised it wasn’t a great love. As much as she’s sad she knows it’s ­probably the right thing to do. Saying that, she’s not great at being single. She still wants to find the one.”

In her recent interview with the ­Sunday Mirror, Katie said how pleased she was Leandro was getting on so well with her children Harvey, nine, Junior, five, and Princess Tiaamii, three.

Katie said: “I’m having the best time with Leo. He’s ­fantastic with the kids.”

She also hinted that all might not be what it seemed with her latest man. She said: “I’m not sure if Leandro is the next guy. Only time will tell.

“I’m always like, ‘this is great’. But look what happened with Alex. I can tell you this – if I have a baby I want to be married and do it all properly this time around.”

Katie met Leandro after divorcing Alex Reid, 36. She had started seeing the cross-dressing cage-fighter in 2009, eight weeks after the end of her marriage to singer Peter Andre, 38.

They were married days after Alex had won the hearts of the nation by triumphing in Celebrity Big Brother.

A friend said : “It’s a ­disappointment for Katie that another relationship has bitten the dust. It’s another man who she loved and introduced the children to but there’s no point in staying with a man if he’s not making you happy.”